The Wharf Bottoming Out

Last Thursday, I joined several city leaders to celebrate the end of a site excavation for The Wharf, a long-awaited project on the Southwest Waterfront in Ward 6. This mixed-use development will bring 135 affordable housing units, 1,000 construction jobs and 5,000 permanent jobs to the area. And, I'm pleased to report that the American Psychiatric Association, the largest psychiatric organization in the nation, will be moving their headquarters to the Wharf.

July 23, 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 25

Dear Washingtonians,

Did you know a recent District study found that a quarter of DC youth use alcohol before the age of 13?  

This is unacceptable. We all know that drinking at such a young age can have terrible consequences. In fact, kids who start drinking before the age of 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or abuse than those who wait until they turn 21.

My Administration is committed to our young people. That is why we are launching an initiative to educate kids about the dangers of underage drinking. But that education doesn’t start and end in school – parents, grandparents, neighbors, faith leaders and other members of the community play a critical role. On Monday, my team announced ‘There’s A Reason,’ a campaign to increase awareness about the risks of underage drinking. The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), will raise awareness of the prevalence and risks associated with underage drinking, and equip parents with the information they need to take action. Our aim is to empower parents and community members with information and resources to help children make good choices. Residents can find their local treatment center at http://bit.ly/preventionservices.

I am pleased to announce Dr. Tanya Royster as the new Director of DBH, the District agency that provides prevention, intervention and treatment services for residents with mental or substance use disorders. Dr. Royster will lead the “There’s A Reason” campaign and all of our outreach efforts on mental and substance use. Dr. Royster brings a wealth of experience that will help us take DBH to another level of excellence. Please join me in welcoming her.

A healthy DC is a stronger DC, which is why public health is a top priority for this Administration.

Sincerely,

Mayor Muriel Bowser

NYT Cities for Tomorrow Conference

Tuesday afternoon, I participated in a luncheon panel at The New York Times’ Cities for Tomorrow Conference. The panel, called “Invest, Partner, Act: Overcoming Obstacles to Enable Progress in Cities,” provided leaders in the public and private sectors the opportunity to discuss how partnerships are often critical to getting things done in cities. I highlighted the many ways we partner with the public, private and nonprofit sectors in the District to create pathways to the middle class for our residents.

With Mika and Morning Joe

On Tuesday, I also had the opportunity to join Mika Brzezinski on MSNBC’s Morning Joe where we discussed how women are leading in the District and other important issues, including economic development, body worn cameras and transportation. In case you missed the interview, you can watch it here.

A New Day at DFS

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Jenifer Smith, our new Director of Forensic Sciences (DFS).  Dr. Smith previously oversaw DNA analysis at the FBI laboratory and also worked for the CIA.

Dr. Smith has the experience and vision to make DFS the strong, independent forensics lab that District residents deserve. You can read the press release here for more information.

Agency Event Spotlight - DPR Celebrates National Parks and Recreation Month

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is celebrating National Parks and Recreation Month with DPR Recreation Day on Saturday, July 25th from 11 am to 4 pm at Randall Field in Ward 6. The day will feature fun, food, and entertainment for families from all eight wards. The outdoor pool will be open for a dip, tennis courts will be ready for some competition, and attendees can win prizes at an onstage Talent Search, hosted by DPR’s Show Mobile. The theme is ‘80’s summer party,’ complete with roller skating and music, so get ready to get ‘footloose!’ For more information, visit DPR’s website.

Pathways to the Middle Class - Job Posting of the Week: Cianbro

Cianbro, an employee-owned construction company, will host a hiring event on Friday, July 24th  from 10 am - 1 pm at 600 Water Street, SW. Residents with construction experience or interest in this industry should attend to learn about opportunities with Cianbro. If you can’t attend Friday’s event, take a look at the job postings on their website.

Stay in contact with me and my Administration online. Like us on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter @MayorBowser to follow our progress. Follow my team, @TeamMuriel, for the latest news and information from the John A. Wilson Building and District government agencies. Follow me on Instagram @Mayor_Bowser for even more updates on what's happening around town.  Lastly, find our online picture albums on Flickr.